
The Stars Beneath Our Feet
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Narrated by:
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Nile Bullock
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David Barclay Moore
“The right story at the right time.... It’s not just a narrative; it’s an experience. It’s the novel we’ve been waiting for.” (The New York Times)
A boy tries to steer a safe path through the projects in Harlem in the wake of his brother’s death in this outstanding debut novel that celebrates community and creativity. Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe Award for New Talent and soon to be a major motion picture directed by Michael B. Jordan!
It’s Christmas Eve in Harlem, but 12-year-old Lolly Rachpaul and his mom aren’t celebrating. They’re still reeling from his older brother’s death in a gang-related shooting just a few months earlier. Then Lolly’s mother’s girlfriend brings him a gift that will change everything: two enormous bags filled with Legos. Lolly’s always loved Legos, and he prides himself on following the kit instructions exactly. Now, faced with a pile of building blocks and no instructions, Lolly must find his own way forward.
His path isn’t clear - and the pressure to join a “crew,” as his brother did, is always there. When Lolly and his friend are beaten up and robbed, joining a crew almost seems like the safe choice. But building a fantastical Lego city at the community center provides Lolly with an escape - and an unexpected bridge back to the world.
David Barclay Moore paints a powerful portrait of a boy teetering on the edge - of adolescence, of grief, of violence - and shows how Lolly’s inventive spirit helps him build a life with firm foundations and open doors.
A New York Times Notable Book
A Time Magazine Top 10 Children’s Books of the Year
A Boston Globe Best Children’s Book of the Year
Six Starred Reviews
“A fast and furious read in which we meet some amazing people, people that stay with us. David Barclay Moore is an exciting new voice. We definitely haven’t heard the last of his brilliance.” (Jacqueline Woodson, Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning author of Brown Girl Dreaming)
“The Stars Beneath Our Feet is about the weight of the world on the back of a child, and the creative tools necessary to alleviate that pressure. I found myself rooting for Lolly, and you will too.” (Jason Reynolds, Coretta Scott King Honor Winner for As Brave As You)
©2017 David Barclay Moore (P)2017 Listening LibaryListeners also enjoyed...




















Critic reviews
"A debut that serves as a powerful instructive for writing from and reading the intersections - 125th Street-size intersections for all readers to enjoy." (Kirkus Reviews)
"Debut author Moore delivers a realistic and at times brutal portrait of life for young people of color who are living on the edge of poverty. At the same time, Moore infuses the story with hope and aspiration, giving Lolly the chance to find salvation through creativity." (Publishers Weekly)
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Great book
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loved it.The narrator made it 10x better.
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Blessed Boys Book club
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My 7th graders enjoyed it!
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healing grief
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I absolutely love this book
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Excellent story, moving, powerful
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The author beautifully represents the experiences of middle school kids who have one foot in childhood and are feeling around with the other in the world of teens and adults. There are gay characters, but they are fallible. There are gang members, but they are shown as complex characters. There is a person on the autistic spectrum, but the characters who tease her are not villains: just kids. There is so much good here, and I can’t wait to share the book with my students.
Real and level
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This book has a beautiful story of choosing your own path, not just going with the norms. It addresses tough subjects, some of which are not brought up in other books of the same theme. The idea that adults make bad decisions and they can apologize, that kids can find a new way, that friendships can help bridge new hope. This book is wonderful. Beautiful story of friendship and learning to accept the person you can actually be when you go for it! Bravo!
Wonderful, real and intense. Trigger on language
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One thing is to listen and learn about other people's stories (fiction included). Lolly struggled with loss, dangerous people, new friends and persevered to become a better person at a young age.
We all can help someone grow, I want all children to know and feel their lives are important. That if we give them the right tools and resources, they to will have a far better chance to live a happy and successful life.
Thank you David Barclay Moore for your writing and input to those open to listening and trying to emphasize with someone like Wallace. I hope that I am going to be giving more to help others beyond the bare minimum expected from society.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book, I have it in print as well. It was great to hear a voice of the young voice actor. I look forward to a movie.
Amazing insight into someone else's life
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